No abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI, Fadrozole, Ciba-Geigy) on gonadal differentiation in the chicken. Fertilized eggs of single comb White Leghorn hens were injected with AI on day 5 of incubation. AI-treated eggs were incubated, hatched, and raised until 10 months of age.

The Javan slow loris Nycticebus javanicus is threatened by habitat decline and is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Information on its distribution and habitat preferences is still lacking, and so far the distribution of the Javan slow loris has only been quantified via ecological niche modelling based on museum specimens and remotely derived environmental layers. We aimed to refine the modelled predictions and to verify the distribution of the Javan slow loris by collecting up-to-date occurrence data, which are fundamental for conservation and management of the species. Furthermore, we identify variables that predict its presence and give recommendations for future survey sites and conservation actions. From April to June 2012 we collected data on species presence, habitat preferences and levels of disturbance at priority sites throughout Java. We present a map of the predicted distribution of N. javanicus based on a maximum entropy model. We investigated habitat preferences using R (v. 2.14.1). During the study we sighted 52 lorises in 9 out of 14 investigated areas. The amount of bamboo in a forest had a positive effect on the encounter rates. Furthermore, we made 86% of sightings in forest plantations and agricultural areas located outside protected areas, with the majority located in areas with measured high levels of disturbance. We suggest that further ecological studies are needed to understand if and why densities may be higher in anthropogenically disturbed areas.

No abstract

Tor soro, an endemic fish from North Sumatera, has a high economic value. Environmental damage causes a decreasing of Tor soro populations and leads to the extinction of these fishes in their natural habitat. Cryopreservation is an efficient strategy that can be used to minimize the problem. The success of this approach depends on how effective it is. This study to evaluate the fertilization of Tor soro using post cryopreservation spermatozoa 48 hours. The sperms collected by stripping, followed by the dilution using soluble liquid (fish ringer methanol 10%+skim milk) 1:9 comparison. The concentrations of the skim milk that is used in 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. The equilibration was carried out at the 5°C for 10 minutes before, then it kept frozen at the temperature of -10°C for 48 hours. The sperm thawing was carried out at the 40°C for 1 minute and one hundred egg cells (±1 g) were fertilized using 1.5ml of post cryopreservation sperm. The ANOVA test showed there was a fertility percentage effect of the skim milk on the frozen sperm. The 10% skim milk give an optimum with the highest fertility of (p<0.05) with 91.25±2.22% and motility (p<0.05) in 10% with 82.90±1.40%.